George Ivanoff – Author

I find it hard to believe that it’s 2013 already. Tempus is fugiting a little too quickly for my liking (excuse my Latin-butchering). But never mind, we must look to the future. I’ve already written about the past (well, 2012 anyway) over on my Literary Clutter bookish blog at Boomerang Books (see “The year that was 2012”), and now it’s time to write about 2013.

2013 is already shaping up to be a big year. Gamers’ Rebellion, the third book in my Gamers series, is scheduled for publication in the middle of the year. I’ve got numerous school readers also due out. And another Doctor Who essay. I’ve already got several speaking gigs booked in and have just been approached about a few more. So things are going to be busy… just the way I like it.

Lots of writing planned as well. I’ve got a new novel I want to start on soon, some short stories to finish off and some leads to chase up. There are more school readers also on the horizon.

This year I also want to have a go at finding a writing agent. I’ve never had one before, but I think it’s something I should investigate. Unfortunately agents seem to be harder to acquire than publishers. But I intend to give it a shot, anyway!

So that’s what I’ve got planned for 2013 so far. But who knows what other weird and wonderful things may cross my path and sidetrack me. A multi-million dollar Hollywood movie deal on my Gamers series, perhaps? Only time will tell.

Okay… so there’s this chain blog post thing that’s doing the rounds at the moment. It’s called THE NEXT BIG THING. Basically, it’s ten questions that are an opportunity for writers to tell people about their next project —a completed book about to be published, a work in progress or simply an idea about to be embarked upon. Writers from all over the world have been taking part and posting each Wednesday.

Check out Paul Magrs (author of The Diary of a Dr Who Addict) from the UK and Richard Harland (author of Worldshaker and Liberator) from Australia.

It was Sandy Fussell (author of the Samurai Kids books) who sent it on to me.

I’m going to tell you about the next book in my Gamers series. It’s due to be published around the middle-ish of next year.

1. What is the [working] title of your next book?

Gamers’ Rebellion. It’s the third book in the Gamers series.

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?

The idea came from the writing of the second book in the series, Gamers’ Challenge. Given that the main characters spend most of that book trying to get out the of computer game they live in, I figured that I should write a third book in which they finally get out.

3. What genre does your book fall under?

Sci-fi/action/adventure

4. What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

You know what? I DON’T CARE! If someone would like to buy the rights to make it into a movie they can cast whomever they want. I’d even be happy for Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Teenaged computer game characters, Tark and Zyra, escape the confines of their game to discover that the real world is not at all what they expected.

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

It will be published by Ford Street Publishing. They publish lots of awesome books for kids and teens. You should all rush out and buy every book they’ve published. Particularly mine!

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

Can’t really answer this question, as I didn’t do a first draft from beginning to end, as I usually do. Instead, I’ve been going back and forth, drafting and redrafting bits of it as I’ve gone. So, by the time I wrote Draft 1 of the ending, the beginning was already up to Draft 4.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I guess it’s a bit like Gillian Rubinstein’s Space Demons, but the other way around.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

The whole Gamers series has been inspired by my teenage obsession with computer games.

10. What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

It contains a Doctor Who reference.

As each author completes this, they are supposed to link to five other authors who will continue the chain the following Wednesday. Well, I’m afraid I only have three. Sorry folks, it’s less than a week to Christmas and people are busy. But please, check out…

Sue Bursztynski (author of Wolfborn)

Simon Haynes (author of the Hal Spacejock books)

Michelle Heeter (author of Riggs Crossing) — Michelle doesn’t actually have a blog, so I’ve offered to host her blog post on Literary Clutter, my bookish blog for Boomerang Books.